Published July 4, 2023 at 11:17 p.m.
An unlikely situation in this region. Forecast.
unusual context
If you found the day hot in the greater Montreal area, you know it was even hotter in this region of Quebec. The province’s northern and north-western areas experienced unusually high temperatures, one of which broke a new heat record. It has never been so hot in Kuujjuaq. The hotspot on July 4, 2023: Waskaganish. A favorable atmospheric environment allowed mercury to reach unprecedented levels at these latitudes, while two depressions over Hudson Bay literally sucked the hot, dry air north.
never been so hot
The mercury temperature hit 35C in Waskaganish on Tuesday. Kuujjuaq broke an all-time record with a high of 34.3°C. The old mark is dated June 24, 1999 at 33.1°C. The day was also very hot in Chibougamau and Val-d’Or with temperatures exceeding 30°C.
Bad news
This is bad news for those regions as the situation is not helping to reduce the risk of fire. Northern Quebec, an area particularly hard hit by wildfires, is experiencing an extreme dry season. The warm temperatures and lack of rainfall are a real spark. Risk remains extreme in most of these sectors. Thunderstorms could get in the way in the next few days.
In collaboration with meteorologists Réjean Ouimet and Patrick Duplessis.